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There’s one thing you can say about the Alaskan State Fair and it’s that they have some pretty big Cabbages. This isn’t meant in any way to be an insult, but a compliment. See up in Alaska they like to grow the Giant Cabbage and enter it into the annual Giant Cabbage Competition at the fair every year. People from all over Alaska weigh in their giant veggies and the hobbyist or farmer with the biggest Cabbage wins the blue ribbon and envy of the other contestants.

It’s held every year around the same time in late August to early September in Palmer, Alaska. For visitors coming in from out of state it can be quite a trek to get to Alaska, let alone the fair, but there are a variety of ways to arrive in style. You can get around the immediate area of the fair via the Great Alaskan Trolley Company that offers a daily shuttle during the run of the fair. If you happen to be in Anchorage at the time of the fair you can take a train ride down to the South Palmer Station. The ride will give ample opportunity for reflection as it takes about two hours to get to the fair.

Don’t worry about food at the fair as you will encounter a wide range and variety of offerings. Besides the traditional funnel cake the different concession stands have Mexican foods, like tacos, and burritos and Alaskan influenced foods like Reindeer Polish Sausage and Beer Battered Halibut. Or you can buy some gold in the form of Alaskan gold nuggets, which are really tasty batter fried cheese.

That’s not all that goes on this fair. Other than the Giant Cabbages you can get to the fair to check out the Backhoe Rodeo, or the Diaper Derby or the Great Alaskan Husband Holler. Wives can certainly pick up a few tips from watching that contest!

Gail Leino is known throughout the internet world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting fun facts. See travel vacations for more tips and holiday spot destinations.

Tags: alaska, cabbage, carnival, competitions, entertainment, fair, family, food, fun, rides.midway, state, travelalaska, cabbage, carnival, competitions, entertainment, fair, family, food, fun, rides.midway, state, travel

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Malaysia has many weird food (weird even to some locals) to offer, and most of them can easily be found in Kuala Lumpur. However, each state in Malaysia offers its own special delicacy. For example, budu in Kelantan, keropok lekor in Terengganu, cencaluk in Melaka. However, all of them are easily found in Kuala Lumpur. Be sure to treat yourself with these :

Petai - Green beens from the deep jungle, which some people say smell like methane gas. Its popularly cooked in sambal tumis ikan bilis - which is fried chili with anchovies. However, locals absolutely love them eaten raw as ulams (almost equal to the western salad). Petai is also enjoyable grilled or boiled. A typical dipping with petai is sambal (chili paste), budu (a fish sauce) and tempoyak (a paste made from durian). Budu and tempoyak themselves are also considered ‘weird’ food.

Durian - A fruit as big as a football, covered with tough spiky skin. The pulp is pale yellow, with shape and consistency of raw brains. Smell has been compared to rotting flesh, old gym socks, or sewage. Yet the taste has been called so exquisite that a European explorer of the 1700’s claimed it was worth the journey to experience it; “the King of fruits.” Many believe it aphrodisiac and hold durian-eating parties. Most hotels, and so on, forbid it on the premises.

Keropok Lekor - Its not what you think it is. Its actually fish sausages, normally deep fried and dipped in a sweet chili sauce (tastes almost like plum sauce). The best keropok lekor you can find is available in the state of Terengganu (where many fishing villages are). Fresh caught fish are brought to roadside stalls, where the fish are deboned, cooked and made into fresh keropok lekor you can ever find, made right in front of your eyes.

Otak-otak - Brains anyone? Otak literally means brain. But otak-otak has nothing to do with it. Otak-otak is made by pounding fresh fish into a paste, and mixing it with chilies, coconut milk, and spices, then wrapping the whole thing in a banana leaf and grilling it. When the banana leaf chars, the fish is read to eat.

Some are unique, but not so horrible looking. Make sure you try these:
Lai Chee Kang, ABC (Air Batu Campur/ Mixed Ice), Longan drink, Karipap (curry puffs), cendol (colorful goodies made from starch eaten in cold coconut milk mixed with dark sugar), tapai, pulut, popia, roti canai, teh tarik (literally means - pull tea), char kuey teow, and so many others.

Enjoy!

Faisal Abdullah was born in Malaysia and is a systems engineer by profession. He loves travelling, culture, cooking and making international friends. Faisal has travelled to countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Holland, France, Germany, Belgium, England and USA. Faisal regularly updates travel and leisure related blogs at http://www.dormantbrain.com.

Tags: asia travel, food, kuala lumpur, kuala lumpur guide, weird food malaysiaasia travel, food, kuala lumpur, kuala lumpur guide, weird food malaysia

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When you are traveling whether on the road or airport hopping finding good food to eat at a reasonable price is an important consideration. When you are traveling eating out at fancy restaurants can take you over your budget in a hurry. Take a look at some ideas to help you keep your food costs down and still enjoy your dining experiences.

First off, always be sire to eat a healthy breakfast if at all possible. If you are on the road you can stop in at a spot like a Waffle House or even better yet a mom and pop spot that will fill you up without killing your wallet. Don’t go for the quick fix of a bag of donuts from a convenience store. Eat something healthy like a bowl of oatmeal with some fruit and wheat toast. If you are lucky enough to be traveling in the Bahamas, try the local favorite, Fish and Grits!

Eat your largest meal at lunch time. Many establishments offer lunch specials that are bargains during this time. My advice is to sample the local cuisine, especially if you are in another country. This is always a cool experience and generally cheaper than try to find a burger! Also, you never know when you will be on a sightseeing tour and your stomach decides for you that it is time to stop and get something to eat. Take along some healthy snacks, like fruit, nuts, raisins, or peanut butter and crackers.

Many people think going to a grocery store while on vacation is totally taboo. The truth is you can save a ton of money and pick up some local favorites at a grocery store. If you are staying at a destination for more than a week or so grocery shopping pretty much becomes a necessity. When we stayed in the Bahamas last summer for a month we hit up the grocery store three days a week at least. With three teenage boys to feed, I had no choice!

If you are in an area that has small family owned or independent diners give them a try. You will often find much better process as well as better and friendlier service than the larger establishments. By taking advantage of the ideas I have shared with you, you will enjoy your vacation much more because you will not have to worry about the cost of each meal that you eat and hopefully I have convinced you to try the local fare.

Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about Bahamian food and ethnic foods at http://www.ethnicfoodsplus.com

Tags: dining, food, traveldining, food, travel

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